Ladder



June 12, 1951 w. T. RUTLEDGE 5 8 I LADDER Filed May 20, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet l w. T. RUTLEDGE 2,556,398

June 12, 1951 LADDER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 20, 1949 Ira (9.

Patented June 12, 1951 LADDER William T. Rutledge, Santa Ana, Calif.

Application May .20, 1949, Serial No. 94,279

1 Claims.

This invention relates to a ladder and to the method of effecting its fabrication.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a wood ladder of the step type embodying a construction whereby wooden steps may be assembled between and supported on the ladder stiles without the use of nails, screws or like fastenings penetrating the stiles as commonly employed in step-ladder construction, and without forming the stiles with transverse channels into which the ends of the steps are extended to afford partial support for the latter, thus obviating constructions which tend to weaken the steps and stiles.

Another object is to provide a substantial support for the ladder steps on the stiles which will insure against the steps being accidentally detached from the stiles under loads imposed thereon and will also securely hold the stiles against spreading relative to each other.

Another object is to provide a construction whereby a support is afiorded for both the front and rear longitudinal edges of the ladder step throughout the length thereof thus distributing a load bearing on the step and relieving the step of tilting strains crosswise thereof as when a load bears only on either edge of the step.

Another object is to provide a wood step-ladder of the type in which metallic bands encompass the stiles to hold the latter against spreading,

wherein such bands are so constructed and are so mounted on the stiles as to also serve the purpose of directly supporting the ladder steps.

Another object is to provide a wood ladder stile and step assemblage which will permit of.

7 ready removal and replacement of a step if need mentary portion of a ladder as constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation partly in section of the structure shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a View in horizontal section and plan as seen on the line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a plan and sectional view taken on the line 44 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the manner of assembling the ladder;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a metallic band employed in the ladder construction;

Fig. '7 is a detail in plan of an end portion of a step illustrating the manner of inclining the end edges of the step to impart a wedge shape thereto;

Fig. 8 is a detail in elevation showing a modified form of the invention;

Fig. 9 is an inverted view in section taken on the line 99 of Fig. 8; and

Fig. 10 is a sectional and plan view of a modified form of the band used in the constructions shown in Figs. 8 and 9.

Referring to the drawing more specifically, A and B designate the ladder stiles, C denotes the steps or treads of the ladder, and D indicates rectangular metallic bands employed in the ladder assemblage. While the stiles and steps may be formed of metal they are preferably formed of wood since the invention is particularly useful and applicable to the production of wood ladders. As here shown the stiles A and B are disposed in spaced parallel relation but manifestly may be inclined or spread relative to each other to form the ladder narrower at its upper end than at its lower end as is common in ladder construction.

The stiles are rectangular in cross section and in carrying out the invention as shown in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive are formed with transverse notches 8 and 9 on their front and rear edges In and H respectively which notches receive and engage the outer end portions of the side rails l2 of the bands D which, in carrying out the mode of fabrication of the ladder, are

initially positioned to encompass the stiles A and B laid horizontally on a suitable support as shown in Fig. 5; the bands being formed of a length of metallic wire bent into a rectangular loop with the ends of the wire united as by a weld joint and being dimensioned so that the ends iii of the band will overlie and abut the outer faces of the stiles with the end portions of the side rails l2 extending into and engaged by the opposed notches 8 and 9 on each of the stiles. The notches 8 are spaced apart along the front edges ll] of the stile according to the distance to be provided between adjacent steps; the notches 9 being disposed along the rail edge ll opposite the notches 8. The steps C are formed of a width such that when positioned between the stiles their longitudinal edges will overlie and seat on the side rails l2 of the bands D and thus be directly supported thereby; while the ends of the steps are convergent from front to back as indicated I 4 in Fig. 7 so that the back edges of the steps are slightly narrower than the front edges thereof thus imparting a wedge shaped formation to the steps in plan.

In assembling a step C its narrower back edge is inserted between the stiles immediately adjacent the upper side of the forward member [2 of a band D as indicated in Fig. 5, whereupon the step is forced into position between the stiles; the step being .of such :length as to effect a driving fit with the stiles when interposed therebetween and to also take up any slack in the metallic band D contiguous thereto.

A ladder may thus be assembled of any desired length Without the use of any fastenings other than that afiorded by the bands ,D and I the wedge engagement of the steps with the stiles, although it is manifest that in some instances nails, screws, dowels, or the like may be passed through the stiles into engagement with the ends of thesteps tohold the latter against lateral displacement, but since loads imposed on the steps will be transmitted .to the stiles through the end portions of the bands D seating in the notches .S9 such fastenings will be subjected to little or no strains tending to break them or work them loose.

The steps C and bands Dmaybe assembled in inclined relation to the front and rear edges of the stiles AB so as .to .lie -.on the horizontal transversely thereof when the ladder is slanted .as shown in Fig. 2,, but where the ladder is designed to extend vertically when in use the bands and steps will be positioned perpendicular to .the edges of the stiles ,as indicated in Fig. 5.

By encompassing the ladder stiles at each step .of the ladder with a metallic band spreading ,of the stiles relative to each other will be eifectively prevented; and by wedging the steps in place between the stiles the bands will be drawn taut into tight engagement with the notches in the stiles without the .aid of extraneous band tight.- .ening means.

In the form .of the invention shown in Figs. .8 to 10 inclusive the notches .8 and 9 are eliminated and metallic loops E are applied to the stiles A and B to form shoulders across the front and rear edges of the stiles and across the outer faces thereof upon which the .end portions .of the bands D seat; the loops E encompassing the stiles at desired points throughout the lengths thereof in tight engagement therewith. The loops E may be continuous and shrunk .on the stiles as shown Figtmes ,8 and?) in which case the loops are iormed of metal lengths having their ends permanently united as means of weld-joints 55, or they may be clamped on the stiles as shown in 1.0 by bending the end portions of the metal length outward and connecting them to.- gether .as by means of a bolt It passed through the end portions of th metal lengths and screw en a in he bolt with a nut H.

In forming the bands Dand loops Ea metal bar or strap is bent into the requisite rectangular ,e to nugly conform to the surfaces of the s s en ged thereby and in bendi the bar or s, s the .corners are rounded on their inner maigins as indicated at H, which rounded corners will be caused to slightly indent the contigu- ,ous corners- ,of the stiles on the bands and loops 4 being brought into tight engagement with the stiles. This indentation of the stiles is brought about by reason of the stiles having corners which normally project into the boundary of the curved corners of the bands and loops, which stile corners will be compressed at the points of engagement with the corners of the bands and loops when they are tightened into engagement with the stiles. The resultant indentations afford slight depressions in thestiles in which the bands and loops seat and serve to augment the frictional engagement of the bands and loops in securing them against shifting longitudinally of the stiles.

While I have shown and described a specific embodiment of my invention I do not limit myself to the exactdetails of construction set forth, and the invention embraces such changes, modifications and equivalents of the parts and their formation and arrangement .as come within the purview of the appended claims.

Iclaim:

.1. In a ladder including a pair of stiles .and a plurality of steps arranged between said stiles, a metallic band encompassin said stiles beneath the underside of each of the steps, means for anchoring said bands in engagement with said stiles, said steps being arranged with theirlongi- 'tudinal edgesseating directlyonsaid bands with their ends abutting said stiles.

2. In a ladder including a ,pair of stiles and a plurality of spaced apart steps arranged .between said stiles; a metallic rectangular band encompassing said .s'tiles beneath .each of said steps having side members abutting the under.- side of said steps throughout the lengths thereof, said stiles being formed with notches with which said bands are engaged.

3. In a ladder embodying .a pair of .stiles and a plurality of steps arranged .therebetween; a rectangular band encompassingsaid stiles .abutting the underside of each vof said steps, said bandhaving side members forming .a support for the longitudinal marginal portions of said steps throughout the length thereof, said stiles being formed with notches .in which the end portions of the band side members are engaged, andsaid steps having ends abutting the adjacent faces of the stiles.

4. In a ladder embodying a pair of stiles and a plurality of steps arranged between said stiles, a metallic band encompassing said pair of stiles and having side portions abutting the marginal portions of the undersides -of each of said steps, and metallic loops encompassing each of said stiles in abutting relation to the end portions of said bands.

WILLIAM T. RUfILEDGE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of thisxpatent: I

UNITED STATES PATENTS v Date OiNeill May 25, .1937 

